Finding the right Mortgage Planner is no different than hiring someone for a job. We tend to think about the process more than we think about the person, but your Mortgage Planner is no different than hiring someone to give you advice about financial planning such as a lawyer or an accountant. This person will be guiding you through the largest financial transaction you may ever make, so don’t leave it to chance with an online stranger or being one of hundreds of applications stacked on a banker’s desk.

You then need to ask the right questions of the Mortgage Planner you want to work with. To remember the right questions to ask, use the acronym PRESS.

Process:

Ask your prospective lender to walk you through the process. As a first time homebuyer, you’re going to need someone who can explain the steps to you and make sure things run seamlessly. The loan process requires a great deal of paperwork and can be extremely overwhelming. It is not uncommon to have to provide employment and credit verification and income and asset verification multiple times before closing. You want someone who is an expert and can answer all your questions and concerns to alleviate your stress.

Rates:

Ask what their mortgage interest rates are based on, about the current economic report, and what could cause movement in the current rate. A loan professional should be able to have the Economic Report information readily available and explain what kind of impact this will have on your rates. They should also be able to elaborate on why mortgage interest rates are based on Mortgage Backed Securities or Mortgage Bonds.

Experience:

Ask how many years the loan officer has been in the industry. This is important because the more experienced they are, the more likely they are to have dealt with any problems in the process. If you were to come across an issue, a more experienced lender is more likely to have the insight to easily solve your problems than a beginner. It’s also imperative that they have their operations department in house, like we do at Fairway. If any problem should arise, your Mortgage Planner can simply walk down the hall to discuss your loan.

Specialty :

It is also a good idea to inquire about their area of expertise. You need to make sure the person you choose is going to be a good fit for your particular loan product. Someone with specific experience in purchasing is going to be much more beneficial to you than someone who specializes in refinancing, but our experienced Mortgage Planners cover all facets of lending.

Success :

Ask how many loans they have closed in the last year. This is a good indicator of how successful they have been in helping people to achieve their goal of affording their dream home. Ask to see some recommendations or simply look them up on LinkedIn or Google their company’s reputation. Luckily, you will have no surprises when you research Fairway.

Finding a Mortgage Planner that you feel comfortable with and that is compatible with your needs is the driving force behind this huge financial decision. The right person should be able to answer all of these things and more with great detail. They should be able to thoroughly explain the process, as well as work through any possible problems that should arise. And we only have the best team working at Fairway! Call me to start!